There’s only one reason for you to be reading this blog: You want a dog, and the parentals do not… yet. As dog lovers, we at Hounds Lounge totally understand being a kid and trying to figure out how to convince your parents to get a dog. However, as dog experts, we must remind you that dogs aren’t toys or accessories – they are members of the family, and owning a dog is a huge responsibility and time commitment. There are many factors for you to consider before you even begin trying to convince your parents to get you a dog!
In this blog, we’ll go over everything you need to know about dog ownership, followed by tips for how to convince your parents to get a dog. We’ll wrap up with what to do after you’ve successfully convinced your parents to add a furry friend to the fam.
If you’re serious about owning a dog and being its primary caregiver, you’ll take our advice to heart – even the hard truths that may not be fun to hear. While owning a dog takes a lot of work, it’s 100% worth it, and the Hounds Lounge team is happy to support you with everything from doggy daycare and boarding to DIY dog washes and grooming services. As experienced, highly trained professionals, we’re also always here to answer questions, offer advice and be your partner in dog ownership.
Ready to Experience Hounds Lounge for Yourself?
Now, it’s time for you to learn how to convince your parents to get a dog!
1. Are You Ready to Own a Dog?
There are many reasons why your parents may be hesitant to get a dog. Pooches are a huge financial responsibility and time commitment, and they can change a family’s lifestyle. Much of the time, when a kid gets a dog, the responsibility ends up falling on the parent – they’re the ones taking Fido out to the bathroom at 3:00 a.m. If you really want to know how to convince your parents to get a dog, you have to prove to them that you’ll do most of the work.
When you bring up the topic of dog ownership, your parents will probably ask you the questions below. Will you be ready to answer them?
- Who’s going to potty train the dog?
- Who’s going to walk the dog every day?
- Who’s going to clean up the dog’s messes?
- Who’s going to pay for the dog’s food, toys, bedding, grooming and vet bills?
- Who’s going to train the dog to be obedient?
- Who’s going to bathe the dog?
- Who’s going to take the dog out to the bathroom?
If you really want to persuade your parents to get a dog, the answer to each question should be “Me.” However, don’t own the responsibilities if you’re not ready for them yet. Think about the changes you will have to make: waking up earlier in the morning, losing sleep at night, giving up some after-school activities, potentially getting a job and spending your paycheck on your pooch, dealing with yucky messes, and more.
Are you still on board? If you’ve made it this far, we have to lighten the mood a little! While dealing with all the responsibilities of owning a dog, you also get to enjoy the gift of a constant companion who will love you unconditionally. Plus, places like Hounds Lounge are here to support dog owners and make your woof’s life extra happy.
Now, it’s time to actually start thinking about how to convince your parents to get a dog. Let’s dig in!
2. How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Dog
Follow the steps below for how to convince your parents to get a dog. Keep in mind that even the strongest argument may not be enough to persuade them – but, if owning a dog is this important to you, you should still give it your best effort. Your parents just might have a change of heart!
Do Your Homework
Furrst things furrst, read our First-Time Dog Owner Checklist! Then begin researching and gathering information about different dog breeds, their characteristics and compatibility with your family’s lifestyle. Consider where you live – are you in an apartment or a house? Consider the climate – are you in a place that’s always warm, or do you get seasons? If you’re in Arkansas, does your family enjoy the outdoors and hunting?
All breeds have different needs. To narrow down your options, think about the type of dog you want or need in your life. If you want a dog to take on jogs with you, a French Bulldog is not the answer. If you want a dog with low maintenance grooming needs, you can eliminate Poodles and their spinoffs “doodles.” These are fantastic dog breeds, but if they don’t fit your lifestyle, they are not the breed for you.
Also, consider the pros and cons of getting a puppy vs. an adult dog. Puppies require training from the ground-up, whereas an adult dog may already be potty trained and have some obedience training. It could be harder to get your parents to say yes to a puppy, but adult dogs can pose their own set of challenges. Adult dogs can be untrained and unsocialized if they’ve never had a real home. Look into your options of where to get a dog and be sure to ask questions about an adult dog’s training, skills and personality.
As you work on how to convince your parents to get a dog, start pulling stats and research. Compile all the paw-sitives of dog ownership – we’ve provided a list later in this blog. You can also reference the American Kennel Club’s 10 Science-Backed Benefits of Having a Dog. It’s hard to argue with science!
If you have a sibling who also wants a dog, bring them into your planning period. Two (or more) kids offering to care for one dog could help you close the deal!
Plan Your Approach on How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Dog
After you’ve conducted research on dog breeds and dog ownership, it’s time to organize your presentation to persuade your parents to get a dog. Think about your parents’ personalities and preferences and how you can best appeal to them. If they are more emotional people, you’ll want to tug at their heartstrings, elaborating on a dog’s unconditional love. If they are more into facts, you’ll want to hit them with numbers and practical benefits of owning a dog.
If you have one of each parent, pull information that will appeal to both of them – but sit them down together. You don’t want to divide them up, as it can result in family tension. You’ll also want to consider the right time to start the conversation. Know how to read the room and tell if they’ve had a hard day at work, etc. When bringing up the topic of getting a dog, it’s best to choose a time when everyone is in a good mood and open to new pawsibilities!
Think about how you want to make your presentation to persuade your parents to get a dog. You could get really professional here! PowerPoints are a great way to pull research, photos, video clips and cover your points in a succinct manner. They can also add a level of humor with gifs and memes. If your parents like a good joke, it’s not a bad idea to throw one in here and there.
You could also compile a booklet and hand out a printed version. It could be a good idea to include quotes from friends and family members who are dog owners, highlighting the benefits of dog ownership. If they lead lives similar to your family’s, your parents might have an easier time envisioning having a dog in the house!
Make Your Case
Once you’ve found the pawfect time to get the whole family together and have decided how to convince your parents to get a dog, it’s time to make your case in a clear and persuasive manner. Lead the discussion with how this needs to be a family decision, since the dog would be living with all of you. But, follow with the fact that you will be responsible for the dog! Be sure to hit on the topics below, and have solid explanations ready to go.
Financial Costs
Dogs can be costly, from the initial fees to all the expenses that follow. If you’ve been saving money, now is the time to share your total! If you are old enough to get a part-time job, share the idea with your parents to start brainstorming potential employers. If you can’t legally work, start thinking of other ways to make money, like mowing lawns or babysitting.
Since you are likely still in school, this is one area where your parents may cut you a deal and offer to cover some of the dog’s expenses! However, we can’t guarantee that, and there’s still a lot left to do to persuade your parents to get a dog…
Time Management
Discuss solutions to time management questions. You could present a chart that lays out feeding, watering and exercise times for a dog that align with your school and extracurricular schedules. It might be a good idea to work in training sessions as well. If you have a sibling, you can split up the schedule.
Messes
Dogs are prone to create messes! Talk to your parents about how you can avoid messes – or destruction – in the home, and how you will be prepared to clean up after a dog. List out cleaning supplies you are prepared to buy and have on hand, as well as practical ways to avoid messes, like closing doors to certain rooms and keeping the trash can locked away.
Allergies
When it comes to how to convince your parents to get a dog, allergies are an obstacle. If anyone in the family is seriously allergic to dogs, it may be insensitive to even try to persuade your parents to get a dog. However, if the allergy is mild, you can discuss allergy management strategies, as well as hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Proving Yourself
Explain to your parents that you will not just tell them but also show them that you are ready to own a dog. You can do this by amping up your responsibilities in the house like taking on more chores, waking up earlier in the morning, and coming home sooner after school. You can also volunteer at your local dog rescue to learn more about dogs and how to care for them.
Additionally, you can “shadow” a friend’s family with a dog to see what their day-to-day entails. If your shadowing is successful, the family may even let you borrow their pooch for a weekend so your crew can have a test run!
The Benefits of Dog Ownership
It’s so impawtant to emphasize the benefits of dog ownership when you’re trying to persuade your parents to get a dog. These are truly the major selling points, the make-or-bark of your argument. Be sure to list all of the points that apply to your family!
- Companionship: Dogs are loyal and affectionate companions, providing emotional support and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. A dog is always there for you – it’s simply in their nature.
- Physical health: Dog ownership often leads to increased physical activity like walking, running and playing fetch, which can improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and boost overall fitness. If your family is looking to boost their health, getting a dog could be a solid solution.
- Mental health: Interacting with dogs has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The presence of a dog can also elevate mood, increase feelings of happiness and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
- Socialization: Dogs can bring people together, creating social interactions and connections, whether it’s through meeting fellow dog owners at the park or participating in dog-related activities and events.
- Responsibility and routine: Taking care of a dog teaches responsibility, time management, and discipline, as owners must stick to feeding schedules, exercise regimens and grooming routines.
- Sense of security: Dogs can provide a sense of security and comfort. Their presence can even deter potential intruders. If you live in an area where break-ins have happened or have a parent who’s concerned about safety, owning a dog could give your family some peace of mind.
- Family bonding: A dog can truly bring a family together. As kids get older and life gets busier, a dog can be the common thread that unites everyone. Even if the dog belongs to you, the whole family can benefit from its companionship and the fun activities that come with owning a dog, like family walks around the neighborhood. When you have little to relate about, you will always have Fido in common!
- Unconditional love and affection: Most impawtantly, dogs offer unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship. Their unwavering affection can bring immense joy and comfort to their owners, creating a deep and lasting bond.
3. How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Dog: Tools
If you think you’ve got a plan for how to convince your parents to get a dog, we’ve got some tools you can use to back up your argument!
Letter Templates for How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Dog
Use our downloadable letter templates to help persuade your parents to get a dog. We created a version for the more touchy-feely parents, as well as the by-the-numbers parents.
Letter #2 | Statistical Version
Dog Chores List Template for How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Dog
Divvy up your dog ownership duties with our downloadable dog chores list template.
Contract Template for How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Dog
Download our dog ownership contract template to seal the deal with your parents!
4. You’ve Convinced Your Parents to Get a Dog. Now What?
If you were successful in your efforts to persuade your parents to get a dog: congratulations! You did it! You’re in for a lot of work, followed by the treat of having a best furriend furrever.
So, what do you do next? You find a dog! Go back to your research on different breeds, puppies vs. adult dogs, and lifestyle impacts. If you plan to purchase a dog, make sure you go with a reputable, registered breeder.
We also recommend that you consider adopting a dog! Visit one of the many dog rescues in Arkansas to meet their woofs and find one that might be the right fit for your family. Dogs in shelters are often “mutts” who have fewer health issues than full-bred dogs, plus shelter fees are much more affordable than the price tag from a breeder.
Hounds Lounge is Here to Help
As you’ve learned from this guide on how to convince your parents to get a dog, we at Hounds Lounge take dog ownership seriously. Dogs are living, breathing beings with personalities, hearts and feelings. They deserve the absolute best in life! While we’re here to guide you through your journey to dog ownership, we’re also here to help after you’ve brought your woof home.
Hounds Lounge offers doggy daycare, dog boarding, self-serve dog wash stations and grooming services, all to make your life as a dog owner a little bit easier and your dog’s life extra happy and healthy! We are a woof’s second home, and pooches get super excited to come play with their buddies at Hounds Lounge. Our expert, dog loving staff is CPR and Pet First Aid certified, as well as trained to recognize dog body language. We provide the best care possible for your fur baby – but don’t just take our bark for it, read some of our customer reviews!
We would love to be your partner as you enter the world of dog ownership. Surprises come up, and it never hurts to have a place to bring your pooch for a day of play, an overnight stay or a warm bath! Visit our website or give your nearest location a call to learn more about how we can help.
Now that we’ve explained how to convince your parents to get a dog, it’s time for you to get to work! We wish you luck in your journey toward dog ownership. It’s sure to be one of the best experiences of your life.
